John Leonard Hadley

A beloved Husband and Father, John Leonard Hadley, passed away peacefully on September 28, 2022, after a noble journey to spend as much time as he could with his family before being reunited with our beautiful Mother.

Born in Salt Lake City, John was the eldest son of Leonard Hadley and Robina Boshard. At the tender age of 8 years old, Dad lost his precious mother to disease. His entire life he looked forward to the day when he would be reunited once again with her.

Dad married the love of his life – Marjorie Reid Nelson. Meeting for the first time at a Halloween party (Dad was 16 & Mom 14), they were never far apart for a span of nearly 70 years.

Dad was changing the oil underneath his ‘39 Ford, when the bishop stopped by and invited him to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dad accepted a call and served for 3 years in the Southern States/Mexico Mission. This service became the foundation of his life and he never strayed – always staying true to what he taught other people. When he returned, Mom and Dad were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple. The temple became the pinnacle of their lives thereafter.

Dad and Mom served 3 additional missions; one Church History mission in St. George, Utah, and two back-to-back missions at the Conference Center on Temple Square. Dad’s favorite assignment was the Jacob Hamblin Home, where he came to love Jacob and Rachel and the sacrifices they made to tame southern Utah.

Dad had a big heart, kind hands, and was always ready to work hard and serve others. One of the greatest virtues Dad taught us was the virtue of hard work. He built our family home, created, and always had a beautiful yard and garden. He built a fishing boat with his dad and brother, serviced his own cars, and used his tools and skills to accomplish a never-ending list of “honey do’s” that Mom faithfully added to each week. If he saw a need, he would find a way to fill that need.

Dad loved and served our country as a civilian at Hill AFB for almost 4 decades. He was also retired from the Utah Air National Guard after serving there for nearly the same period of time. Dad and Mom traveled the world together fulfilling his work assignments. He especially enjoyed being assigned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon Program. He loved that fighter jet and knew it well.

Dad also loved being in the outdoors. He loved to fish, snow and water ski, hike, camp, and especially to visit historical sites. Dad loved to study the history of each place he traveled and never forgot what he learned. When traveling, Dad would always stop and put his hand in the waters of the earth and then take a quiet moment to ponder the history of that place.

Dad loved playing his accordion as a young man, reading Dick Tracy, and most of all, dancing with Mom. Swedish fish, chocolate covered cinnamon bears, Snickers, chocolate and strawberry shakes, and of course his watermelon were always staples in his life.

Dad’s legacy for all of us will always be his devotion to God, family, country, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His testimony of Jesus Christ was sure. We will always remember his devotion to Mom’s care until she passed away almost a year to the date of his passing. He couldn’t wait to be by her side again.  We are so happy for both of them and know that they will never be separated again.

Throughout Dad’s life he was an avid Ham Radio operator so we will end this tribute with “N7WJM” is offline…until we meet again.

Thanks for the legacy of your life Dad and for making family first!

Dad (and Mom) are survived by their 6 children and their much loved spouses:  Rock (Elizabeth) Hadley, Ronda (Dave) Vincent, Trisha (Steve) Peel, Jeana (Brian) Bangerter, Ruston (Cindy) Hadley, Ryan (Kellie) Hadley, as well as 21 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022, at the Centerville Utah Stake Center, 950 N. Main Street, Centerville, Utah. An evening viewing will be held 6:00-8:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A morning viewing will be held Monday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services.

Interment – Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park , 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City.